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Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Eric’s Vision In Memory Of Eric T. Scoggins Sr.

Shonta and Eric Scoggins

By Dupè Aleru

Eric Scoggins Sr. did it all. He earned a football scholarship to USC and soon established a foundation that will later assist him in achieving his goals-playing professional football and excelling in the corporate world.

All of this came to a screeching halt when Eric was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) in 2007. Although the news was devastating, Eric confirmed he had a strong spirit after learning the news that ALS had no cure.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. This degeneration process of motor neurons eventually die, and the brain loses the ability to initiate and control muscle movement. With voluntary muscle action affected, patients become paralyzed or eventually pass.

To date, the cause is unknown, but with new scientific findings, families are provided with hope for the future. Due to minimal funds for research, there is still no found therapy or drug to slow the progression.

Frustrated by our nation’s lack of awareness of this debilitating disease, Eric’s close friends Ronnie Lott and Keena Turner along with the San Francisco 49er’s organization hosted a fundraising dinner in January 2008 in hopes of spreading the knowledge of this disease and to raise funds in support of its research. The event raised more than $150,000E—Eric’s Vision was borne.

“Eric’s Vision is a nonprofit organization that funds ALS cure-driven research, and inspires further research by providing college scholarships to deserving high school students. Since 2008 when Eric’s Vision was borne we have raised more than $450k to support organizations that are essential to ALS research and patient care,” said Shonta Scoggins, widow of Eric Scoggins.

Remember to come join “Kick for a Cure” to be held tomorrow on the campus of BHHS at 6:30 p.m. to help raise funds for Eric’s Vision.

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